Every child at catechism should have to memorize important points – the four marks of the Church, for example (One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic). But moreover every adult should learn of the seven Trappist Beers; for every tipple drunk benefits a monk. While I've had Orval, and will investigate the other rarer sorts when I can, Rochefort's strong beer is a favourite (to be used sparingly), and above all I like to drink Chimay - best in its 750ml bottles, of course; and for Easter, a nice 1.5l magnum of it. Some Chimay last night went down very well with dinner, especially since I have one of the proper glasses (as pictured).
In case any puritans or wowsers see this and purse their lips, I append a translation of the blessing of beer from the Roman Ritual ("for every creature of God is good, and nothing to be rejected that is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer" - I Tim. iv, 4. 5):
V/. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R/. Who made heaven and earth.
V/. The Lord be with you.
R/. And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.
Lord, bless + this creature, beer, which by thy kindness and power hath been produced from kernels of grain, and let it be a healthful drink for mankind: grant that whoever drinks it with thanksgiving to thy holy name may find it a help in body and in soul; through Christ our Lord. R/. Amen.
(The beer is then sprinkled with holy water.)
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